5
Basic Concepts of Infection Prevention Measures to prevent infection in male circumcision programmes have two primary objectives: Prevent infections in people having surgery Minimize the risk of transmitting HIV and other infections to clients and clinical staff, including health care cleaning and housekeeping staff Chapter 8: Infection Prevention5

13
Hepatitis C Virus Risk What is the risk of acquiring HCV after being stuck with a needle from an HCV-positive patient? 3–10% Chapter 8: Infection Prevention13 Source: Lanphear 1994.

14
Ways Infection Is Spread The air Contact with blood or body fluids: Open wounds Needle-stick injuries, which occur: While giving an injection While drawing blood During IV insertion/removal While disposing of sharps During waste disposal While suturing during surgery Eating or handling food contaminated by faeces or microorganisms Contact with infected animals or insects Chapter 8: Infection Prevention14

20
Handwashing When: Before and after patient care Before and after using gloves Between patient contact When visibly soiled Protect hands from dryness with petroleum-free creams No artificial nails, wraps, etc. Clear nail polish okay Chapter 8: Infection Prevention20

21
Handwashing Steps 1.Thoroughly wet hands. 2.Apply plain soap or detergent. 3.Rub all areas of hands and fingers for 10–15 seconds. 4.Rinse hands thoroughly with clean running water from a tap or bucket. 5.Dry hands with clean, dry towel, if available. If not available, air dry hands (use a paper towel when turning off water to avoid re-contaminating hands). Chapter 8: Infection Prevention21

22
Handwashing (cont.) If bar soap is used, provide small bars and soap racks that drain. Avoid dipping hands into basins containing standing water. Do not add soap to a partially empty liquid soap dispenser. When no running water is available, use a bucket with a tap that can be turned off while lathering hands and turned on again for rinsing; or use a bucket and a pitcher. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention22

23
Hand Antisepsis Similar to plain handwashing except involves use of an antimicrobial agent Use before performance of any invasive procedures, (e.g., placement of an intravascular catheter) Use when caring for immunocompromised patients (premature infants or AIDS patients) Use when leaving the room of patients with diseases spread via direct contact Chapter 8: Infection Prevention23

33
Safe Handling of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Chapter 8: Infection Prevention33 Needles are the most common cause of injuries to all types of clinic workers

34
Timing of Needle-Stick Injuries Health care workers are most often stuck by hypodermic needles during procedures. Cleaning staff are most often stuck by needles when washing soiled instruments. Housekeeping staff are most often stuck by needles when disposing of infectious waste material. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention34

35
Tips for Safe Handling of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Use each needle and syringe only once, if possible. Do not disassemble the needle and syringe after use. Do not recap, bend or break needles before disposal. Decontaminate the needle and syringe before disposal. Dispose of the needle and syringe together in a puncture-resistant container. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention35

36
One-Handed Needle Recap Method Place the needle cap on a firm, flat surface. With one hand holding the syringe, use the needle to scoop up the cap. Turn the syringe upright (vertical). Use the forefinger and thumb of other hand to grasp the cap and push firmly down onto the hub. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention36

40
Handling Needles and Sharps (cont.) Use a puncture-proof container for storage and/or disposal Do not recap a needle before disposal unless using the one- hand technique Chapter 8: Infection Prevention40

41
Instrument Processing Chapter 8: Infection Prevention41 Soiled instruments and other reusable items can transmit infection if they are not properly reprocessed.

43
Decontamination of Instruments Immediately after use, soak soiled instruments in a plastic container with 0.5% chlorine solution for 10 minutes. Rinse instruments immediately with cool water to prevent corrosion and to remove visible organic material. Clean with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention43

44
Needles and Syringes Re-use of needles and syringes is no longer recommended. Therefore, flushing of needles and syringes is also not recommended. Used needles and syringes in should be disposed of as a unit in a puncture-proof container. Dispose of container when it is three-quarters full. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention44

45
Cleaning Cleaning should be done after decontamination in order to: Remove visible soil and debris, including blood or body fluids Reduce the number of microorganisms on soiled instruments and equipment Ensure that sterilization or high-level disinfection procedures are effective Kill endospores that cause tetanus and gangrene Chapter 8: Infection Prevention45

48
High-Level Disinfection High-level disinfection is a process that destroys all microorganisms except some bacterial endospores High-level disinfection is the only acceptable alternative to sterilization Can be achieved by: boiling in water, steaming, or soaking in chemical disinfectants. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention48

50
Storage of Sterilized Items Keep the storage area clean, dry and free of dust and lint. Keep the temperature of the area at approximately 24°C, and the relative humidity less than 70%, if possible. Store sterile packs and containers: 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) off the floor, 45–50 cm (18–20 inches) from the ceiling, and 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) from an outside wall. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention50

51
Storage of Sterilized Items (cont.) Do not use cardboard boxes for storage; they shed dust and debris, and may harbor insects. Date and rotate the supplies. Use a first in, first out (FIFO) guideline for using supplies. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention51

52
Linen Processing Wash in hot, soapy water and dry Same in hospital or home Chapter 8: Infection Prevention52

53
Safe Disposal of Infectious Waste Materials Protect people who handle waste items from accidental injury Prevent the spread of infection to health care workers and to the local community Chapter 8: Infection Prevention53

55
Steps for Disposal of Sharps 1.Do not recap the needle or disassemble the needle and syringe. 2.Decontaminate the hypodermic needle and syringe. 3.Place the needle and syringe in a puncture- resistant sharps container. 4.When the container is three-quarters full, dispose of it. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention55

56
Steps for Disposal of Sharps Container Wear heavy-duty utility gloves. When the sharps container is three-quarters full, cap, plug or tape the opening of the container tightly closed. Be sure that no sharp items are sticking out of the container. Dispose of the sharps container by burning, encapsulating or burying it (see below). Remove utility gloves. Wash hands and dry them with a clean cloth or towel or air dry. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention56

57
Disposal of Waste Containers #1 Burning: Destroys the waste Kills microorganisms Best method for disposal of contaminated waste This method reduces the bulk volume of waste, and Ensures that the items are not scavenged and reused Chapter 8: Infection Prevention57

58
Disposal of Waste Containers #2 Encapsulation: Easiest way to dispose of sharps containers When sharps container is three-quarters full, it is made completely full by pouring: Cement (mortar), Plastic foam, or Clay After material has hardened, the container is disposed in a landfill, stored or buried Chapter 8: Infection Prevention58

59
Burying Waste Restrict access to the disposal site. Build a fence to keep animals and children away. Line the burial site with a material of low permeability (e.g., clay), if available. Select a site at least 50 meters (164 feet) away from any water source to prevent contamination of the water table. Ensure that the site: Has proper drainage, Is located downhill from any wells, Is free of standing water, and Is not in an area that floods. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention59

60
Post-Exposure Management If exposure occurs to the: Skin Wash with soapy water Do not use caustic agent or bleach Eye, nose, mouth Rinse with water for 10 minutes Needle-stick or cut: Wash with soapy water Allow to bleed freely Apply first aid Chapter 8: Infection Prevention60

63
Making the Workplace Safer Continue identifying risk. Continue to use Standard Precautions. Teach patients it is okay to remind health care workers to wash hands and use gloves. Actively role model and support IP practices. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention63

65
Summary Minimize and prevent exposure to infection by: Using Standard Precautions with every patient Disposing of clinic waste properly Using post-exposure care when necessary Work together to make the workplace safer. Teach patients and their families how to reduce risk of exposure in the home. Chapter 8: Infection Prevention65